The Pastor's Message

Dear Parishioners,

This week we celebrate World Mission Sunday.  On this occasion, we are reminded to focus our attention on the need to support all Mission territories in bringing the Good News of the Gospel to people everywhere.  By our Baptism, we are to actively participate in evangelizing the world, and in a special way on this World Mission Sunday, we do this with our prayers and our financial support to Mission territories.  Some may also be called to go to Mission Lands near or far to work in remote areas of the world.

In the Gospel this week, Jesus opens the eyes of Bartimaeus, the blind man.  This miracle happens because the blind man asked to be healed and had faith in Jesus.  His eyes were opened, and Jesus said, “Be on your way, your faith has saved you.”  Many people walk through life blind to the world around them and it is not until they ask for the ability to see that their eyes are open to the poverty or injustice that surrounds them. 

We say that we are believers; however, if we do not care for or respect other people in the world, we remain blind to the Gospel message that we are called to be a witness of.  In this month of October, it is important to pray with Mary, our Blessed Mother, for a greater respect to all life, from conception to natural death.  Those who may struggle with the abortion issue may have their eyes and heart closed to the harm that takes place with this sin in the world.  They may think, “I don’t believe in abortion personally, but people should have the right to choose.”  What they don’t realize is that we must be compassionate and loving to the unborn who do not yet have a voice, and to the mother and father who may later struggle with the decision they made maybe in haste.  We must open our hearts and eyes to be a loving witness of the Gospel to all people.

Today, we pray for people who do not have anyone to teach them about God, as well as those who give of their time and talent to be a witness of the Good News.  We also pray that our eyes and hearts may be open to the needs of the Mission World that we currently live in.

Fr. George P. Blais

 

Dear Parishioners,

This week’s challenge to us in the Gospel is about ambition.  James and John are seeking a place of honor in the Kingdom, and we often do the same in seeking positions of honor or recognition.  Jesus warns against this temptation as He instructs us to be willing to be a servant of all.

In His conversation with the two disciples who want a place of honor, Jesus asks them, “Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”  They answered, “We can.” because they did not fully understand that this meant taking up their cross and dying the same kind of death as He would suffer.  We are like these two disciples in our enthusiastic love of God and Jesus in that our heart is willing but often our minds and flesh are weak.  Once again, we must make sure that our profession of faith that we proclaim each week is consistent with our actions that we live each day.  Do my actions support my words of faith?

Jesus promises us eternal life with Him; however, He does not promise an easy life in this world.  Remembering what we heard last week, we need to focus on the reality that “With God all things are possible.”  We must get out of God’s way and allow Him to work in and through us in this life so that we will be with Him forever.  In heaven there will be no place of honor for individuals because we are, and always will all be, equal in His eyes.  We are created in the image and likeness of God, so we will all be one with Him forever.

Fr. George P. Blais